Austin Reaves Bagged $185 Million and The Rest Of Free Agency Is About To Get WILD.

Alright, NBA fans, buckle up because free agency is here and it absolutely EXPLODED out of the gate! We're talking big money, big moves, and the Lakers wasted zero time locking down one of the premier shooting guards in the game. Austin Reaves, that 6-foot-5 pick-and-roll maestro, just agreed to a massive 4-year, $185 million deal to stay with the Lakers. Seriously, he declined his $14.8 million option for THIS max deal, and honestly, can you blame him?

Reaves Was a No-Brainer, But What About the Kings' Star?

This Reaves deal? It was a no-brainer for L.A. He's a pending All-Star, a three-level scorer, and his playmaking has gone way up. He raises both the floor and the ceiling for the Lakers and Luka Dončić. He’s entering the best years of his career, and the Lakers needed that young-ish talent. But with him off the board, who's the next domino to fall? Well, Zach LaVine over in Sacramento is making some noise, but maybe not the kind Kings fans want. He exercised his $48.9 million player option after an off-year. At 31, he's a prime candidate for the trade market, now an expiring contract. The dude can be super efficient, often rocking a TS% in the mid-60s. He just needs the right spot next to an elite playmaker to really shine off-ball. Is a trade coming for LaVine? You bet we'll be watching!

The Gritty Veterans and Rising Stars Still Up For Grabs

Beyond LaVine, there are some serious talents still available. Norman Powell, an unrestricted free agent from the Miami Heat, is one of those ridiculously efficient scorers, hitting 60.9 TS%. He's 33, understands his role perfectly, and isn't trying to be a creator. That kind of player, who

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can play next to a lead guard and still shoot a ton, is super valuable. We could see him land a two-year, $55 million deal or maybe even three years for $70 million. That's a solid chunk of change! Then we have the young guns. Ayo Dosunmu, who crushed it in the postseason for the Minnesota Timberwolves, including a 43-point eruption, isn't going anywhere. He just signed a 5-year, $112 million contract to stay in Minnesota. He was a great trade-deadline acquisition and proved he's a long-term fit next to Anthony Edwards, playing both on and off the ball as a reliable two-way player. He's stepping into major responsibility, and it's exciting to see what he does. But back to the guys still on the market. Quentin Grimes, a 6-foot-4 off-guard from the Philadelphia 76ers, had a weird season. He picked up his qualifying offer, betting on himself after a killer finish to the 2024-2025 campaign. He had moments where he looked like a future starter and others where his passivity made him look barely playable. He dealt with a changing role and injuries to teammates, so he probably lost money this season. Still, the potential is there. Maybe a short-term deal or the full non-tax mid-level exception makes sense for him to prove it.

Who Else Is Out There, Emerald City?

Don't forget about Luke Kennard, another unrestricted free agent from the Lakers. He's still one of the very best three-point shooters in the whole league, and you know the Lakers have interest in bringing him back next to Luka Dončić. And Kevin Porter Jr. from the Milwaukee Bucks picked up his $5.4 million player option, so he's still putting up solid numbers. The market is moving, folks! This is just the beginning. Who's next to get paid? We're on the edge of our seats waiting to see!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.